Why Republicans turn on their own

Running in a high-profile special congressional election, the former South Carolina governor was blindsided by news that the National Republican Congressional Committee had decided to abandon his candidacy just days before voters cast their ballots.

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Last week, it was Florida GOP candidate David Jolly’s turn. National GOP operatives provided to POLITICO a detailed account of how the former lobbyist was waging a chaotic, chronically undisciplined campaign for a St. Petersburg-area congressional seat.

Both candidates would hold on to win, exploiting a political environment that’s tilted decidedly in the Republican Party’s favor. But the victories were bittersweet. Sanford and Jolly would be making the trek to Washington after having been pilloried by anonymous party operatives who, they thought, were on their side. Nevertheless, it’s not in either pol’s self-interest to dwell on the campaign: There is more to gain — in potential committee assignments, or help from the party in future campaigns — by getting along with GOP higher-ups.

The clashes are striking because national Republicans rarely openly criticize their own candidates, especially so soon before consequential elections. But national Republicans increasingly feel the need to adopt a get-tough approach. Nearly six years removed from the presidency and often under assault from outside-the-Beltway conservatives, establishment GOP figures are searching out new ways to exert influence over unruly candidates. Cross them, and there’s a good chance the candidate won’t like what results.

“It’s indicative of a party without a centralized hierarchy. We didn’t have these problems in 2002 or 2004. When the party has the presidency, it’s a lot easier to get people to align. It’s easier to institute sway,” said Chris LaCivita, a longtime party operative and former top official at the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

On MSNBC Wednesday morning, moderator Chuck Todd peppered National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Greg Walden with questions about a POLITICO story that ran days before the election detailing the party’s complaints about Jolly’s campaign.

“Chuck, let’s not litigate the past, let’s look at what happened here on Election Day. Because that’s really the subject, isn’t it? The subject is who won,” Walden said.

NRCC spokeswoman Andrea Bozek said, “We are excited to welcome David Jolly to Congress and will continue to work closely with him to keep this seat in Republican hands.”

Both Sanford and Jolly both fell short of what party strategists expected of them. Sanford’s problems stemmed from revelations that he’d been sued by his ex-wife for allegedly trespassing at her house. Sanford, some complained, hadn’t given the NRCC a heads-up before the story broke.

“This is an unfortunate situation,” one GOP operative said at this time. “But this is what happens when candidates aren’t honest and withhold information.”

There was an array of complaints about Jolly: He didn’t raise enough money. Top aides were located hundreds of miles away from his district in the state capital. His ads were poorly made. The NRCC tried to intervene, sending four staffers down to the St. Petersburg-area district.

Among Washington Republicans, the last-minute criticism of Jolly remains a sensitive subject. With the committee primed to spend tens of millions of dollars in races across the country, some say it’s only natural to expect them to be hard-liners every now and then.